Jaime Serra-Olivares

Game-Based Approaches’ Pedagogical Principles: Exploring Task Constraints in Youth Soccer

Abstract This study tested the use of two pedagogical principles of Game-based approaches, representation and exaggeration, in the context of game performance of U10 soccer players. Twenty-one players participated in two 3 vs. 3 small-sided games. The first small-sided game was modified by representation. The second small-sided game was modified by enhancing the penetration of the defense tactical problem for invasion games. Decision-making and execution were assessed using the Game Performance Evaluation Tool. No significant differences were observed between games in the number of decision-making units related to keeping possession, nor in those related to penetrating the defense. No significant differences were observed in any execution ability (ball control, passing, dribbling and get free movements). The findings suggested that both games could provide similar degeneracy processes to the players for skill acquisition (specific and contextualized task constraints in which they could develop their game performance and the capability to achieve different outcomes in varying contexts). Probably both games had similar learner-environment dynamics leading players to develop their capabilities for adapting their behaviours to the changing performance situations. More research is necessary, from the ecological dynamics point of view, to determine how we should use small-sided games in Game-based approaches.

Review of the tactical evaluation tools for youth players, assessing the tactics in team sports: football.

AbstractFor sports assessment to be comprehensive, it must address all variables of sports development, such as psychological, social-emotional, physical and physiological, technical and tactical. Tactical assessment has been a neglected variable until the 1980s or 1990s. In the last two decades (1995–2015), the evolution of tactical assessment has grown considerably, given its importance in game performance. The aim of this paper is to compile and analyze different tactical measuring tools in team sports, particularly in soccer, through a bibliographical review. Six tools have been selected on five different criteria: (1) Instruments which assess tactics, (2) The studies have an evolution approach related to the tactical principles, (3) With a valid and reliable method, (4) The existence of publications mentioning the tool in the method, v. Applicable in different sports contexts. All six tools are structured around seven headings: introduction, objective(s), tactical principles, materials, procedures, instructions/rules of the game and published studies. In conclusion, the teaching–learning processes more tactical oriented have useful tactical assessment instrument in the literature. The selection of one or another depends some context information, like age and level of expertise of the players.

Tactical expertise assessment in youth football using representative tasks.

Specific football drills improve the development of technical/tactical and physical variables in players. Based on this principle, in recent years it has been possible to observe in daily training a growing volume of small-sided and conditioned games. These games are smaller and modified forms of formal games that augment players’ perception of specific tactics. Despite this approach, the assessment of players’ knowledge and tactical execution has not been well documented, due mainly to the difficulty in measuring tactical behavior. For that reason, this study aims to provide a narrative review about the tactical assessment of football training by using representative tasks to measure the tactical expertise of youth football players during small-sided and conditioned games. This study gives an overview of the ecological approach to training and the principles used for representative task design, providing relevant contribution and direction for future research into the assessment of tactical expertise in youth football.

Soccer and Relative Age Effect: A Walk among Elite Players and Young Players

Grouping people according to chronological age is popular in fields such as education and sport. Athletes who are born in the first months of the year usually have cognitive and physical development differences in contrast to those born in the last months of the same year. That is why competitive teams tend to select older players more often than youngsters. Age differences between athletes born in the same year as well as an over-representation of older players are known as the Relative Age Effect. This effect is extensively described in young and elite team sports such as basketball, volleyball or, ice-hockey, as well as in soccer. The purpose of this study is to examine the state-of-the-art of the Relative Age Effect in youth and elite soccer players. This review summarizes recent research articles on the Relative Age Effect related to competitive soccer from 2010 to 2016. The systematic literature search was conducted in four databases: SPORTDiscus, Medline, EBSCO host and Google Scholar. Although causes and final solutions have not been clearly achieved yet, it is necessary to continue investigating this phenomenon in order to provide a starting point for future research.

Developing Talented Soccer Players: An Analysis of Socio-Spatial Factors as Possible Key Constraints

Abstract Most studies on the identification and development of soccer talent have been one-dimensional in nature. Although some multi-dimensional analyses have been conducted, few research studies have assessed in any depth the socio-spatial factors influencing talent development. The aim of this particular study was to analyse variations in the international representation of clubs (n = 821) and countries (n = 59) in the development of players who took part in the 2014 FIFA Soccer World Cup. Clubs and countries were ranked and divided into quartiles according to the number of players developed between the ages of 15 and 21 (clubs and countries that developed players for at least three years between these ages) and the number of official league matches played by these players up to the age of 23. Significant variations were observed between clubs in terms of the number of developed players who took part in the World Cup and the number of official league matches played by these players up to the age of 23 (p < .05), and also between countries (p < .05). The findings reveal the need to carry out more in-depth studies into the type of training and competition engaged in by elite players in the period of development between the ages of 15 and 21. It may be the case that these factors are potentially decisive socio-spatial constraints in the development of soccer talent.

The effects of large-sided soccer training games and pitch size manipulation on time–motion profile, spatial exploration and surface area: Tactical opportunities:

Analysis of the physical, technical and physiological variations induced through the use of different soccer game formats have been widely discussed. However, the coaching justification for the specific use of certain game formats based on individual and collective spatial awareness is unclear. As a result, the purpose of this study was to analyze 11 versus 11 game formats conducted across two pitch sizes (half-size: 54 m × 68 m vs full-size: 108 m × 68 m) to identify effects of time–motion profiles, individual exploration behavior and collective organization. A total of 10 amateur soccer players from the same team (23.39 ± 3.91 years old) participated in this study. Data position of the players was used to calculate the spatial exploration index and the surface area. Distances covered in different speeds were used to observe the time–motion profile. The full-size pitch dimensions significantly contributed to greater distances covered via running (3.86–5.52 m s−1) and sprinting (>5.52 m s−1). Total distance and number of sprints were also significantly greater in the full-size pitch as compared to the half-size pitch. The surface area covered by the team (half-size pitch: 431.83 m2 vs full-size pitch: 589.14 m2) was significantly larger in the full-size pitch condition. However, the reduced half-size pitch significantly contributed to a greater individual spatial exploration. Results of this study suggest that running and sprinting activities increase when large, full-size pitch dimensions are utilized. Smaller surface area half-size pitch contributes to a better exploration of the pitch measured by spatial exploration index while maintaining adequate surface area coverage by the team. In conclusion, the authors suggest that the small half-size pitch is more appropriate for low-intensity training sessions and field exploration for players in different positions. Alternatively, the large full-size pitch is more appropriate for greater physically demanding training sessions with players focused on positional tactical behavior.

The influence of floaters on players’ tactical behaviour in small-sided and conditioned soccer games

Abstract This study examined players’ tactical behaviours based on core tactical principles during small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG) with and without floaters on the sidelines. A total of 24,068 tactical actions performed by 168 Under-17 academy soccer players were assessed using the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUTSAT) across two different SSCG: “Floaters off” (Gk+3 vs. 3+Gk) and “Floaters sidelines” (Gk+3 vs. 3+Gk+2 floaters). Results revealed that players showed different tactical behaviours depending on the SSCG format and playing phase. In “Floaters off” SSCG, players more frequently performed the core tactical principles of concentration during the defensive phase and penetration for the offensive phase of play creating more opportunities for 1 vs. 1 situation. In contrast, in the “Floaters sidelines” SSCG, players made more effective use of playing space (width and length) in the opponent’s half during the offensive phase and limited the space for the opponent by compacting the defence in their own half (defensive unity) due to numerical disadvantage during defensive phase. Findings suggest that the use of floaters (on the sidelines) encourage players to keep ball possession during offensive organisation, as well as promote the team’s defensive stability by decreasing the spaces between teammates during defensive organisation.

Relación del conocimiento táctico de jóvenes futbolistas con la edad, la experiencia y el nivel de pericia

Resumen: Dada la importancia del conocimiento previo para decidir de forma adaptable en el deporte, se estudio el conocimiento tactico de 109 jovenes futbolistas de ocho a doce anos y su relacion con la edad, la experiencia y el nivel de pericia, mediante el Test de Conocimiento Tactico Ofensivo en Futbol. Se observaron diferencias significativas de magnitud moderada en funcion de la edad y la experiencia en competicion federada de los jugadores (p < ,05; r < ,40), aunque los resultados fueron dispares. El nivel de pericia correlaciono significativamente con los conocimientos de clarativo (rho = ,350; p < ,01), procedimental (rho = ,446; p < ,01) y tactico de los jugadores (rho = ,446; p < ,01). Los hallazgos sugieren que la edad y experiencia no tienen un papel tan determinante sobre el conocimiento tactico como otras variables: metodologias de ensenanza recibidas o la formacion del entrenador. Se necesitan estudios en los que se analice si la formacion especifica en el conocimiento de los problemas tacticos mejora la habilidad de toma de decisiones en el deporte en general y en el futbol base en particular. Palabras clave: conocimientos declarativo y procedimental, pericia, edad, experiencia.